Rays' starters expected to fill in for loss of Shields

In this Sept. 25, 2012 file photo, Tampa Bay Rays starting pitcher David Price works against the Boston Red Sox during the ninth inning of a baseball game at Fenway Park in Boston. Price is the leader of the Rays' staff.

Published: Tuesday, February 12, 2013 at 10:34 p.m.

Last Modified: Tuesday, February 12, 2013 at 10:34 p.m.

In this Sept. 25, 2012 file photo, Tampa Bay Rays starting pitcher David Price works against the Boston Red Sox during the ninth inning of a baseball game at Fenway Park in Boston. Price is the leader of the Rays' staff.

ASSOCIATED PRESS FILE PHOTO / ELISE AMENDOLA

Shields is now in Kansas City, a member of the Royals via an offseason trade.

So, where do the Rays find the innings vacated by the veteran right-hander?

"My original thought is the other guys," Tampa Bay manager Joe Maddon said Tuesday at a press conference at Charlotte Sports Park on the eve of the opening of spring training. "I don't like to use the term pick up their game. I just want them to continue to develop."

Four of the five spots in the rotation appear to be set, led by Cy Young Award winner David Price. Following in no particular order are: right-hander Jeremy Hellickson, left-hander Matt Moore and right-hander Alex Cobb.

The southpaw Price logged 211 innings a year ago, when he went 20-5 with a 2.56 earned run average.

Hellickson (10-11, 3.10 ERA) pitched 177 innings in his second full season in the rotation after throwing 189 in his rookie season in 2011.

Moore also worked 177 in his rookie season, when he went 11-11 with a 3.81 ERA.

Because of an injury to Jeff Niemann, Cobb spent more time in the majors than he did in the minors. The righty worked 136 in the bigs (11-9; 4.03 ERA) and 41 at Triple-A Durham, also 177 for the season.

"The guys we already have are capable of getting deeper or farther into the game and pitch more innings the entire season, based on experience," Maddon said.

The No. 5 spot belongs to Niemann, if healthy. Limited to 38 innings a year ago, the right-hander fractured his right fibula and pitched in only one game after May 14. Niemann worked 135 innings in 2011 and 182 and 174 the previous two years, so he is capable of handling the workload.

"The last pitcher within the group, whoever that guy might be, is also going to be capable of pitching a lot of innings," Maddon said. "We're going to pick those innings up somewhere."

If Niemann is limited or is not ready at the start of the regular season, the Rays have some fallback plans.

One is Roberto Hernandez, formerly Fausto Carmona, who the Rays signed as a free agent and is on the 40-man roster.

"The one guy I want to see is Hernandez, based on what he has done in the past," Maddon said. "He doesn't walk a lot of guys."

Chris Archer, a right-hander, was called up for six appearances, four starts. Right-hander Jake Odorizzi and left-hander Mike Montgomery, both acquired in the trade that sent Shields and right-handed pitcher Wade Davis to Kansas City, are in major league spring training and on the 40-man roster. They will get a look as starters.

"Our goal with the starting pitching is to get 1,000 innings-plus out of your starters. This group is capable of that," Maddon said.

"At the end of the day, we are going to be very pleased with our pitching staff, both starting and relieving, by the time this thing is over with."

Tampa Bay executive vice president Andrew Friedman planned for the loss of Shields' innings by bolstering the bullpen.

He brought back free agents Kyle Farnsworth and Joel Peralta to work in front of closer Fernando Rodney.

"It also put more of an emphasis for us on the bullpen, and making sure we have guys who can give us length and also making sure we had a deeper bullpen than in years past," Friedman said. "Guys can match-up and go multiple innings.

"It was a combination of our starters stepping up and taking on a few more innings each and having a deeper bullpen."

Even bolstering the infield defense with the signing of first baseman James Loney and second baseman Kelly Johnson and acquiring shortstop Yunel Escobar in a trade with Florida after spending all of last year with Toronto can help lengthen the starters.

"When you are making outs more efficiently, it helps you eat more innings, which in turn keeps your bullpen rested," Friedman said.

Beginning Wednesday on the back fields at the Charlotte Sports Park Complex, it will all begin to take shape, as pitchers and catchers go through their first workout.

"The options are great," Maddon said. "It's going to be fun watching the whole thing unfold."

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